2 Kings 22: True Repentance

11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” -2 Kings 22:11-13

Josiah responded positively to God’s Word. Unlike other kings who turned away from the Lord, Josiah tore his robes upon the hearing of Scripture. He humbled himself and sought to apply Scripture to his life and to use his influence for good. When Josiah repented, God responded.

How did God respond? The end of the chapter reads, “9 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”

The Lord promised a peaceful life for Josiah when he repented. We may not be promised the same exact result, but we can count on God hearing our prayers when we truly repent. Josiah is but one of many individuals in Scripture whom God heard and helped upon their repentance.

If you are really seeking to hear from God today, open his word–then repent when it convicts your life and cry out to God. Who knows? Maybe God will work in your life like he did in Josiah’s changing a nation back toward honoring God.

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